Sycamore Gap

I got up and out pretty early today hoping for the best of a day which was forecast to be solid cloud with a good chance of rain in the afternoon. I was the first car in Steel Rigg car park and set off on the path over Peel Crags. Blimey, there are some up hill and down dale bits on that walk! The first climb up Peel Crags had me wondering how I'd get down again. I've found that taking my varifocals off makes going down a little easier but I prefer the up these days (never thought I'd say that).

I got to Sycamore Gap just ahead of a group of about seven and my services were requested for a group photo. I think you might be able to make a business out of hanging around down there to take people's photies for them. Once they'd gone I set about taking my photos. I've gone for the standard U-shape composition. It is a classic after all. 

On my way back I met another photographer on his way there and we talked about the climbs. He'd noticed that where the wall had collapsed there was a path down to the fields below the crag which looked quite established. It sounded like a good option to avoid that final tricky descent. I found the place and carefully made my way down, it's in one of the lower parts of the walk. Once down there I thought it was more than likely a sheep path but it did take me round an unauthorised alternative route (a few boggy bits) and back to Steel Rigg car park. I was back at camp by 10.30. I'll try to add an extra of the view towards Crag Lough on the way. There are a few more in my album here if you'd like to see them.